A major rescue operation at Bethupalli Lake in Telangana’s Khammam district ended successfully on Thursday, November 5, after all personnel who went missing following a boat capsizing incident were traced and brought to safety. The incident occurred when two boats carrying State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Services personnel overturned in the lake’s floodwaters while they were attempting to rescue stranded fishermen.
The accident triggered an extensive search operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, Fire Services teams and district administration. The rescue personnel were swept away by strong currents as they attempted to reach fishermen trapped in the rising waters. All 11 missing personnel were eventually rescued, bringing relief to their families and colleagues. The stranded fishermen were also brought to safety, and no casualties were reported.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening when eight fishermen became stranded in Bethupalli Lake following a sudden rise in the water level. Five fishermen had entered the lake to lay fishing nets near the weir. However, heavy rainfall caused the water to rise rapidly, leaving them unable to return to the shore. Three other fishermen who went to help them also became trapped in the floodwaters.
After receiving information about the situation, local authorities and emergency services rushed to the lake. Fire Services personnel initially attempted to reach the stranded fishermen, but their rescue effort encountered difficulties after a boat reportedly developed a technical problem.
Additional rescue teams, including SDRF and Fire Services personnel, were subsequently deployed in two boats to reach the fishermen. However, the operation took an unexpected turn when both boats capsized in the strong currents. The personnel on board were swept away, turning the rescue mission into an emergency involving the rescuers themselves.
A local resident accompanying the rescue team was also among those caught in the incident. Authorities immediately launched a search operation to locate everyone who had gone missing.
The NDRF joined the operation, deploying additional personnel and equipment to search the lake and downstream areas. Rescue teams worked through Wednesday night despite difficult weather conditions, poor visibility and strong water currents.
Meanwhile, the fishermen who remained stranded in the lake managed to reach a raised patch of land, where they waited for help. NDRF personnel eventually reached them and brought them safely to the shore late Wednesday night.
The search then continued for the missing rescue personnel. Some of them reportedly managed to hold on to trees along the downstream stretch after being carried away by the current. Rescue teams used available communication facilities and coordinated with local officials to identify their locations.
After hours of searching, all the missing personnel were located and rescued by Thursday morning. The rescued SDRF and Fire Services members were taken for medical examination, and their condition was reported to be stable.
The successful operation brought relief to the district administration, rescue teams and families who had been waiting anxiously for updates throughout the night. The incident also highlighted the difficult conditions faced by emergency personnel while responding to sudden flooding and rising water levels.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy closely monitored the rescue operation and directed officials to take every possible measure to ensure the safe return of the missing personnel. He asked the Khammam district administration to intensify the search and instructed the Chief Secretary to remain in constant contact with local authorities.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy also reviewed the developments and appreciated the efforts of the rescue personnel and district officials. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar expressed concern over the incident and coordinated with senior NDRF officials to ensure adequate assistance for the operation.
Khammam District Collector Divakara TS, Superintendent of Police B Rohith Raju and Sathupalli MLA Matta Ragamayi were among those involved in monitoring the rescue efforts.
The incident comes amid heavy rainfall in parts of Telangana under the influence of Cyclone Murasu. The weather system has brought intense showers to several districts, causing lakes, tanks and other waterbodies to overflow. The sudden increase in water levels at Bethupalli Lake created dangerous conditions for fishermen and emergency personnel alike.
The rainfall has also affected residential areas near the lake. Reports indicated that floodwater entered a double-bedroom housing complex, inundating some portions up to the first floor. Authorities shifted affected residents to relief centres as a precautionary measure.
Agricultural activities have also been disrupted by the continuing rainfall. Preliminary estimates indicated that paddy, cotton, maize and chilli crops across nearly 15,000 acres in the wider Khammam region had suffered damage. Waterlogging and overflowing waterbodies have affected several localities, raising concerns among farmers and residents.
The Bethupalli Lake incident has once again highlighted the risks involved in flood rescue operations, particularly when water levels rise unexpectedly and strong currents make navigation difficult. Emergency personnel often have to work under challenging conditions to reach stranded people, sometimes putting their own lives at risk.
Although the operation ended without any reported casualties, the boat capsizing incident has raised questions about rescue preparedness and safety measures during extreme weather events. With heavy rainfall continuing to affect parts of Telangana, authorities are expected to remain alert and take precautionary steps to prevent further emergencies.
